Yup, we finally gave Ed a little haircut. For over a year and a half we tried to work with the posts on Ed the bed, but the realization that we didn’t have a lofted ceiling or a floor plan that made sense of those big dramatic posts slowly worked its way into our conscious and we finally decided that just because Ed was born with long hair posts doesn’t mean that a little haircut is cruel and unusual bed punishment. So here he is before…
… during…
… and after…
This whole bed-trimming project was free, took about an hour of work, and we totally dig the more open look. It was just too much vertical stuff going on- especially with the bed right next to the window (with those floor length curtains going on). Ed’s totally crying out for a large fabric headboard so we can raise the mirror above the bed about another foot or two (like this poorly photoshopped rendering) and someday we’d love to stain the floors (and possibly the dresser) darker…
… but we’re getting there. And just because I can’t stop at one photoshopped headboard option, here are some more I had fun with:
But back to reality. You know we like to use what we have, and we love Ed for so many reasons. The height, the comfort, and the thin airy legs that he sits on which allow us to hang out be weird under the bed…
… so instead of completely scrapping him (ex: craigslisting him and buying a new bed) we devised a completely reversible plan to give his posts a little trim. How is it reversible? Well, while they don’t just screw off or anything, they’re solid wood posts. So we can always reattach them by adding a nice long metal screw to the center of each post that we could just screw back into the bed frame to attach them (it’s how a bunch of Ikea items are made, like how Lack tables have legs that can be screwed on and off). So although we don’t foresee any reason to put those suckers back on, who knows… maybe someday we’ll end up in a house with lofted ceilings and we’ll wish we could put Ed back together – and now, theoretically we can. Haha.
So after concocting our little Ed-tweaking plan, this is how it all went down (complete with insanely embarrassing not-meant-to-sound-perverted comments by yours truly):
For those who can’t watch the video (perhaps you’re at work, although it pretty much tells the story on mute) we snapped some photos for ya too. We basically just lined the Dremel up (we have a Multimax, and used the wood cutting attachment) with the base of the post and slowly sawed around it.
Oh and see how we put a piece of cardboard between the mattress and the post? Just wanted to make sure we didn’t get too chop-happy near the mattress (and moving our organic mattress takes the strength of ten vampires, so we just didn’t have it in us).
Thankfully we had no mattress casualties and each post came down after around five minutes of careful cutting.
We actually got much better at making super clean cuts as we went, so we’re glad we started on the two bottom posts of the bed (which will always be covered by the comforter anyway) and worked our way up to the top two posts, which are seen a lot more.
John even let me take a spin. I had to wrestle the Dremel from his cold dead tool-loving hands, but it was worth the trouble. Girls need a romp with a power tool every once in a while too. Especially because safety glasses are so undeniably sexy.
We were really surprised how nice the top posts looked when they were cut. See the circle detail that they ended up sporting (the bottom posts didn’t have those)? They made it look like a decorative design, so they looked convincing. Like they were meant to be this way. Total happy accident.
Then we just did some sanding to get everything smooth…
… and I used the Ikea-white paint (I did a little hunting to find the perfect white paint that matches Ikea’s white tone here) that we had leftover from another project.
Check out the top right post after cutting, sanding, and painting…
… and the top left post after the same rigmarole.
By the time the paint dried and we made the bed it totally looked like Ed was born this way. Cue the Lady Gaga dance-a-thon.
Here’s John breaking it down. Just kidding. He ran through the shot and kicked his leg up in some sort of weird victory cry and somehow the camera caught his ghosted karate move. Hilarious.
Here are things from another angle. Obviously we need nice large art where those botanicals are floating on that wall on the right of this picture (we’ll rehang the botanicals over a chair that we have in another corner), but we’re getting there. Especially once we build an upholstered headboard for Ed and move the mirror a bit higher, so it further ties into the chandelier.
I can’t tell you how much we like this hand-me-down dresser from John’s parents in the nook. It’s the perfect fit.
We already shared how it looks from the hallway in this morning’s post, but here’s that shot again, just to refresh the ol’ memory:
Although it definitely doesn’t match the wood dresser on the other side, there’s something charming about the little white nightstand in the window. And the fact that we have the same bedside lamps on each one sort of connects the two pieces, even though they’re very different.
Here’s a straight shot of the bed as it looks now. I’m definitely itching to get on that headboard project so I can bump the mirror up a bit higher so not everything will be in the same line (the art on the right and the mirror are so perfectly lined up, I think the bed will feel more special with a big fabric headboard and a higher focal point above it). And as for the color of the dresser and the white nightstand, we’re open to painting or staining something, but we’re not rushing into anything.
One thing is for sure, it definitely feels more homey and full than it used to look back when the bed was on the wall near the door.
And it’s so much nicer to walk into this view, instead of stepping three steps in the door and hitting the bed.
So that’s the latest bedroom tweak, but we’re probably a good dozen tweaks from being done in here. Haha, you know us. Inching along. But you know we’ll keep you posted when we tackle other things, like dealing with the bare wall across from the bed, making a giant fabric headboard and moving the mirror up, etc. Should be fun…
Oh and how funny is this? Every morning around 10am the sun shines through the window above the sink (this pic is from before Ed’s move and subsequent haircut)…
… and this shape is reflected on the rug:
Yup, the elongated shadow is pretty much exactly the same shape that’s on the rug itself. The weirdest thing is that when we fell in love with this rug and snatched it up at a local outlet, we made absolutely no connection that it had a similar shape to the mirror above the sink. Hooray for happy accidents.
What are you guys up to in the bedroom (decor wise, I mean – let’s not get saucy). Has anyone else altered their bed to make it work better for their room? Or straight up built one from scratch? Anyone else planning to make a headboard in the next few weeks? I can’t wait to go fabric shopping…
stephanie says
Oh my gosh i LOVE it! I never wanted to say it, but i secretly hated ED:) Love him now!!!
Kelly T. says
I’m really liking the change. I think the bed looks fantastic!!!
Petie says
This might seem like a silly question but why do you always put a round mirror over every bed in your house? I love everything that you do, but I think you could be more creative when it comes to art above the bed. I have never seen a house with more round mirrors! Spice it up try something different.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s funny because in our first house we had three frames and a window over the bed, so I guess it feels different for us! We’ve never had a mirror over the bed in our master, and we don’t know if this mirror will stay (it used to hang in the living room over the desk) – we’re just working with what we have for this phase of the room since we wanted a free upgrade! Who knows where we’ll end up!
xo,
s
Marty says
I think the room change is fantastic and the Ed haircut is the icing on the cake. The room looks so inviting now! Thanks for the inspiration.
Michele @ Moonfield Lane says
This transformation is absolutely amazing. It just looks so, so good! And I always thought of you guys as the “create your own headboard” types, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I want to try the tufted headboard using a pegboard thing myself.
Jenn Leigh says
Great transformation! Just goes to show, even a bed can’t get out of their first hair cut.
Katherine R. says
All your adjustments look great! I saw your bedroom rug on the Nate Berkus show last week (he was making over a music school in NY I think…probably paid full price) and he also used your beehive vases in another makeover. =) I think he’s tracking off of you…
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny!
xo,
s
Claire says
I think it looks great! I was not feeling the shift of furniture this morning, to be honest, but I couldn’t pinpoint what I didn’t like about it other than the fact that it felt too busy. Giving Ed the haircut is exactly what it needed! IMHO, of course, but yours is the one that really matters since it’s your house! :)
I would looooove to see you make a headboard like this:
http://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-make-a-diamond-tufted-upholstered-headboard.html
I want to make one but I’m a little nervous to undertake it, so having you guys blaze a trail would be easier. :) Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see a normal-shaped one…
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! Not sure we’ll go for tufting (we’re more clean-modern lovers) but that looks awesome!
xo,
s
Jaime @ Queen of the Creek says
That’s a LOT of comments – Are you GIVING away the old bed posts or something?! ;) Veddy veddy nice. And I LOVE!!! how you all took extra precautions. I totally would have cut the thing, hammered it off and never would have though to protect the mattress or anything. You are amazing. =)
JessiBee says
Oh man! It looks great this way! Love the new arrangement and the “haircut”. You are so right about it looking more full. Awkward layout…who knew!
Also, “dorks for life” under bed pictures…Hil.ar.i.ous.
Allyson says
This looks so great!
Elisabeth@SimplyParkers says
I’m loving the new layout! Of course maybe I’m a little biased because we have a similar kinda thing going on in our room with the window to the left of the bed (http://simplyparkers.blogspot.com/2012/06/master-bedroom-wishlist.html) :) Your “nightstand” solution is exactly what I had in mind, just haven’t had any luck finding what I want on Craigslist / secondhand yet. I’m going to keep looking, though, because this looks fabulous. Nice work!
YoungHouseLove says
Love your room! Good luck on the nightstand!
xo,
s
mp says
Love it!!!
Megan says
I’m pretty sure that I’ve got the sense of humor of a 12-year old boy because I’m still giggling over your comment! The best part is when you tried to fix it and it got much worse. The hair cut was scary but really opened it up. Looking forward to watching some progress in there!
Sarah says
When I first read that you were removing Ed’s post, I was totally against it. But then I saw how much it opened up the whole room and I fell in love! You guys usually have some unconventional plans for your furniture/rooms and almost always get it right! Bravo!
Krissy says
So, I read this post without realizing that I missed the morning post… I kept thinking “This is not where their bed is, when did that happen?!” Lo and behold, I scrolled down and was informed…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- so funny!
xo,
s
Marina says
WOW! I guess I really didn’t realize I wasn’t to keen on the previous arrangement until you did all that, fantastic!
Previous arrangement = no emotions what so ever!
New arrangement = LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
And bonus, every time you walk in to the room it’s a little mini-reveal, instead of being all in yo face from the get go.
Wendy G says
I LOVE the new furniture arrangement!!! It does look so much more comfy!! I can’t wait for you guys to tackle the headboard project. That is next on our bedroom decorating to do list so I could use the encouragement!!
Caitlin says
I’ve always kind of thought it didn’t fit QUITE perfectly in there but you guys made it work. Now it looks AMAZING and I never would have been brave enough to cut up my bed. Talk about literally Ikea hacking!
Charlotte says
This looks amazing. I had been waiting for this four poster bed to be a 4 postless bed!
Kristi says
I am loving the new arrangement in the BR and I like the bed posts either way but would you consider a new light fixture? The current one looks like it belongs in a teens room (I totally don’t want to sound mean. Sorry). Oohh it would look cute in Clara’s room or her playroom. Just a suggestion.
YoungHouseLove says
We love that light fixture! But we totally know that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s one of our favorite things in the room though. So soft to gaze up at every night before bed.
xo,
s
Abigayle says
Oh man, I’ve been itching for you guys to take those posts down since I first saw your master in the new house. I almost left a comment after reading your post from this morning that I thought the posts should get the axe. It looks so much better! Good job guys!
Kate C says
I have wanted you to do this for ages now! I think it looks so much better.
Libby says
It’s beautiful! We love the new look. It must have been a little uncomfortable before, opening the door into the bed. The new look is very practical, and “Ed” looks good without his extensions (poor Ed, but it was all for the best)…can’t wait to see what you decide to do with the previous mid-century bedside tables. Maybe the guest room?
Rosanne says
Love the bed on that wall, looks much better with the haircut also. I wouldn’t paint John’s parents lovely dresser. I think it’s the perfect color and even with the darker floors you’re planning on doing it will really shine…just my 2 cents :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, the plan is to do the floors first and then make the call on the dresser!
xo,
s
Jackie Toye says
Comment No. 435 but here goes :)
I LOOOOOOOVE the Rug!!! The rug alone has done something Wonderful to the room. It seems cozy and little more romantic now (don’t you love perfect strangers using such words about your bedroom) hahaha
Love the removing of the posts. We had a similar and did the same. I’m not a frame gal “threatening” to tackle a headboard.
like the rest, I’ll tackle mine after you post the tips and a tricks.
and did I say I LOOOOOOOOVE the rug :)
Teri says
Can’t wait to see what you do with Ed’s head! Love that you have the courage to take a saw to your furniture!!! I am also loving the hand me down dresser. The wood tone color warms up the room just the right amount and looks great with the wall color. Love it all!
trish says
You guys are brilliant! It must have taken alot of courage to cut that bed, but that was exactly what it needed! It looks great. Who’s idea was it to cut the poles off? Did you photoshop it first to see what it would look like?
YoungHouseLove says
We both were more and more convinced that the posts would have looked awesome in a lofted room with a peaked ceiling, but since we didn’t have that going on and tried to make them work for over a year and a half, we were both ready I think! The key is just to wait until you’re ready and then go for it!
xo,
s
Natalie says
Oh m’ golly!!! I love it! I go on vacation and stop stalking, I mean following, your blog for 2 days and wow!!!! It went from nice to fantabulous!
Larissa says
Can you guys do a post about how you would hypothetically re-attach the posts to the bed? I have the perfect bed picked out from an unfinished furniture store, but I really want the posts on it and am not really sure how to add them, or where to purchase the type of wood needed to add posts for that matter….. You made it sound so easy that I’m hopeful it’s possible!
YoungHouseLove says
We would drill into the dowels/posts in the center and attach a long double sided screw into a predrilled hole in the post. Then we would make a predrilled hole into the bed on the point that we want to screw in that post and screw it right in. Maybe use some wood glue to hold it in? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Natalie says
When I started to read the post, and I realized you were going to cut off the posts, I was all NO! Don’t cut! Don’t cut! Are they CRAZY?!
And then I kept scrolling to the after…I stand corrected. It looks great! So sorry I ever doubted you:) I shoulda known better ;)
Erin says
So much better!! :) The scale looks much better from this angle. Are you going to re-use your former side tables in another room?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re thinking maybe in the playroom or guest room. Or we’ll just craigslist them for $10 each (we got them for $10 at a yard sale and cleaned them up, so we figure that’s a fair price).
xo,
s
Ali says
I wasn’t a huge fan of the posts or the previous layout (but I didn’t say so because who needs a hater?:)), but I think it looks a million times better this way!
BeckyB says
Hey, John, is there something you’re not telling us? According to Apartment Therapy, you have three boys AND Clara. Think they got something wrong….
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! Wow, that’s quite the typo (perhaps it snuck in from someone else’s interview?). I think I’d have a hard time keeping three extra kids secret from you guys!
-John
vanessa says
What a beautiful bedroom. I absolutely love it! You guys have a way with pulling together all different textures, colors, and patterns and making it look fabulous!
xoxo, Vanessa @ He Says Newcastle
vanessawittmer.blogspot.com
Flo says
This looks great! Your bedroom is really coming along! Btw, Here’s a pic from a schmancy house in the New York Times that has your Ikea light fixture: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/06/13/greathomesanddestinations/20120617GH-WYG.html#17
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, looks like they have the bigger version (which they can certainly pull of with those ceilings). Love that bird painting too!
-John
Karyl says
Love the mini-makeover! have you thought about hanging a double barn door where the old bifolds were so that there is a sliding door on each side of your bathroom vestibule? They could be solid or some sort of obscured glass. Or perhaps even painting Ed?? for some reason I’m seeing him in his new location in a sort of antiqued/burnished silver color….must be the old Jersey girl in me!
YoungHouseLove says
All things we’ve considered, but nothing we’d decided on yet. We’ll of course keep you posted on it if we decide to take the leap on either of those.
-John
Chaucea says
Woot!!
Those bedposts were so not groovin’ with the rest of the room! Awesome change.
Now… *chants* …Paint the bed charcoal-black! Paint the bed charcoal-black! :-D
Elizabeth@ wake&gather says
I would love to see a glowy nighttime picture of the new set up!
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe we’ll try to snag one of those sometime soon. Good idea!
-John
Debbie @ My Little Mess says
Wow it’s amazing how removing the posts really opened up the area. I vote for a bright colored headboard, possibly yellow to match your pillows. The rest of the house has tons of fun pops of color but in your room you only have the pillows and rug so far so your room could always use some more! :)
It’s great that you were able to rearrange your bed. I’m having trouble figuring out where to put our bed since we have small-ish windows in the middle of two of the walls and one door on each of the remaining walls which make for a very hard bed placement…
Angela says
Wow! That really is a dramatic difference, just for a little cutting action. I love post beds, but the 4 x vertical action does put me off. I love the idea of the drama, but I think I would just end up wanting to do what you just did. I can’t believe how much more open that looks now & really shows of the Maskros in a better way. I didn’t even realise that brown dresser was in an alcove until the post came away from the bed & hadn’t much noticed the mirror either! HA HA. Oh and John almost, looks like he has no pants on in that ghosty image, especially if you look at the leg to the floor. I had to double take at the same time reading the explanation, I was starting to think “this might get awkward!” HA HA HA.
Brittney Saffell says
I LOVE all the bedroom changes. Totally digging the hair cut, too :) Can’t wait to see the fabric for the headboard.
Emily says
First time posting! My husband and I just bought a 1950’s ranch house in April and are looking forward to making it our home. Next on the list is a fabric headboard! Very simple with tufts – but reading your blog for the last year has given me the confidence to go for it! Good luck with all your projects – I’m excited to see your progress daily, weekly, monthly :)
Ashley says
I chopped my posters off my bed too! Unlike you though…I didn’t save them. I secretly hope they will never see the light of day again.
http://eviemethugh.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/four-poster-to-upholstered/
YoungHouseLove says
Niiiiiiiiice!
-John
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
Wow – the room is looking so much better! I love the move, haircut, and all of it. Definitely looks a lot more homey and full.
We just DIYed a headboard for our bedroom (actually using a fabric you had blogged about once!): http://thesweetestdigs.com/2012/05/14/the-diy-files-upholstered-headboard-how-to/
YoungHouseLove says
Looks amazing!!
xo,
s
Paige @ Little Nostalgia says
LOOOOOOVE. I feel like the room has so much more balance now. The nook makes sense, the chandy is still centered, the view from the hallway is prettier… the pieces are coming together!
Nicole says
Oh my goodness! I love it! I was kinda eh about the rug in the beginning– but I absolutely loveee the room now! The mirror over the bed is beautiful– can I steal it? ha! Also, the photoshopped pictures with the dark floor and dark dresser– really really love! Can’t wait to see what else you guys end up doing in here!
Cassie says
I love it! In the last post I was thinking it looked a little too crowded under the window, but it must have just been the bedposts cluttering up the shot. Looks great!
Brandi says
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better! LOVE love love!
Susan says
Love the changes. The room looks fantastic! We’ll be moving our bedroom furniture around as soon as the fish tank that’s on my dresser finds a new home. :)